Association of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy with infant growth in the first 24 months of life

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association of maternal nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) with infant growth in the first 24 months of life and compare the effect of fetal gender.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Zhoushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhejiang, from 2011 to 2018. 1942 pairs of singleton newborns and their mothers were selected as participants. Main outcomes were gestational weight gain (GWG), birth outcomes (birthweight and gestational age) and infant growth [weight, height, weight/height-for-age Z score (WAZ/HAZ), the weight gain during childhood]. The associations of NVP with birth outcomes and infant growth at children's age of 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were analyzed by multivariable regression models.

Results: Of the 1942 women, 1395 had NVP at first trimester (T1) and among them, 210 still experienced NVP at second trimester (T2). Compared with women without NVP, women experienced severe NVP at T1 were related with lower total GWG. Mild and moderate NVP at T1 were negatively associated with lower birthweight among women with male infants. Female infants exposed to maternal NVP at T1, especially for severe degree, were showed greater weight, WAZ, height, HAZ, and weight gain after 1 year old (at age of 12, 18, 24 months). No association between maternal NVP and infant growth was observed among male infants.

Conclusion: Exposure to NVP at T1 was, respectively, associated with lower GWG. Favorable influence of NVP at T1 on infant growth was observed among female offspring.

Keywords: Early stage of life; Gender difference; Infant growth; Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.